Howdy Artists! I share a bit of my creative time with God. If you have a journaling Bible, you understand. This is how I created a custom set of tabs for my journaling Bible.

Our pastor has a passion for teaching us the truth in God's word and during a sermon sends us flipping from one book to another for reference and learning. Adding bible tabs went from a fun idea I'd occasionally toss around to a great idea that needed to get done fast.

I set up the graphics on the computer using Microsoft Publisher, a tedious task but worth it. I now have a forever template.

I'm a plain Jane kinda gal and chose basic craft card stock to print my tabs. I've seen many colors and patterns on the internet for you to choose from.

Instead of laminating my tabs, I scrubbed my paper with beeswax then used a heat gun to melt and seal it. (Beeswax also gives paper a unique, antique look that I like.)

This photo shows all of my supplies

My original tab punch was a bit large, I used a rounded corner punch to modify my tabs just a bit.

I folded each tab and measured the dimensions of my bible before doing anything else.

I used Sookwang double sided adhesive on each tab as shown below

Finished project

If you decide to create your own tabs, check out Pinterest for great examples.
Regardless of DIY tabs or purchasing them remember to:

*Layout the pattern before adhering.

*Check and double check before making anything permanent!

*Make sure you can see the name of the books on the tabs when the bible is closed.

*Do NOT rush :)

"Fast is fine but accuracy is everything." -Wyatt Earp

I'd love to see examples of your Bible Journals. You can post them to my FB page here:

Thursday, September 8, 2016

I hope the weather change is in your favor. This time of year is bittersweet for me. Losing daylight hours makes it tough to squeeze my outside activities in after work but on the other hand, I get more time in my studio to make art and that's not so bad.

Today's card traveled from the studio to Massachusetts, USA after a brief stop in New Jersey. Congratulations to my dear, sweet niece Nat and her husband Florian on their new life together. May God bless you and keep you in his tender loving care.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Hello again! I was tapped to lead the crafts this year at Vacation Bible School. This involved a lot of prayer (always a great thing) and spending extra time scouring the net for inspiration. One idea I instantly liked is this treat tree. Our VBS theme "Submerged!" took us under the sea and took me into my ocean of craft stash. After finding my supplies, I came up with my own version of a treat tree I saw on Pinterest. It was a great week at VBS, everyone had a ton of fun hearing about our Lord, singing, dancing and crafting all for the Glory of God. I hope it inspires you to make your own treat tree for your event.

This craft is not original to me, you can find many versions on Pinterest and throughout the internet.

Directions:

Since little hands were going to be reaching and plucking treats at random, I decided to flip the base as shown (see photo above) to give the tree a bit more stabilization.

After thoroughly washing the clay pot and base, I allowed it to air dry for a day.

I secured the base to the pot with white glue (a lot) of white glue

After drying, (it took 3 days) I painted it using acrylics, allowing that to dry.

To add interest and hide where the pot is connected at the base I added thick twine. (See finished photo)

I inserted a white Styrofoam ball slightly larger than the opening of the pot. No glue needed, just gently push the foam into the top and it will fit securely into the pot.

This is the end result.

The dolphins and submarine were cut out with my Cricut machine. They are on the "Life is a Beach" Cricut cartridge.

I cut two complete sets out of card stock for each floral pick.

A bit of tulle and more floral picks to trim around the edges.

After each night of crafting, each child picked a treat from the tree and at the end of the night, I refilled the tree for the next evening.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Can you believe that March is almost over? It seems like only yesterday it was Christmas and here we are, another round of birthdays have come and gone faster than a speeding bullet.

This turned into a mixed media project. I used wooden craft stars, Cricut Indie Art cartridge to die cut a guitar (added frets with a micron pen) and various papers from my scrap container. My sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up!

Created using all Stampin' Up! supplies.

I added color to my flowers with Copics.

I just love this little bumblebee stamp I purchased it at Michael's from the $1.00 bin. Who doesn't love a bargain?! The flowers are Stampin' Up! Botanical Builder and the "honey comb" shapes are cut with Spellbinder dies. Color added with Copics.

I hope you are crafting your hearts out and putting smiles on the faces of the ones you love.

This is not my original concept. I saw this created by another crafter but It looked like fun and I really wanted to make one too.

I used a combination of Recollections craft paper, G45 papers, various Spellbinders dies and embossing folders for texture.

Created with Stampin' Up! By far, my favorite stamp and die set. I added color to the flower stamp with Copics and embellished the "Happy Birthday" with copper embossing powder. The black butterfly skeleton was backed and fussy cut with a piece of homeless paper from my stash.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

I'm taking the year off from sponsorship to focus on family and friends.

I've been more than neglectful as far as their birthdays and cards go and I need fix that.

This card is for Paul who, in between traveling the globe has, at the moment, paused in New Jersey. His passion for Chinese cuisine and home remodeling sparked my construction for his card. A combination of Recollections craft paper and G45. Recollections brads, Tim Holtz takes credit for the "fortune" sentiment. The fortune cookie charm and metal gears are from Traditions.

Blogger friends, I hope this year finds you crafting up a storm and taking care of the people you love, even if it's sending them a line or two in a letter, card or note. Hugs, happy crafting and Happy New Year!

Monday, September 7, 2015

The kids are back in school and summer is winding down. You will have to excuse me, I've been a bit "blog lazy" during the summer months. September is the most wonderful time of the year. I have time to get back in to my studio, create fun art and I am fortunate because I have been chosen as a featured artist by Through the Craftroom Door Magazine.

If you are a TTCRD member, sign in to take advantage of two ADORABLE freebies I've left for you. If you are not a member, well, you should fix that by signing up! Click the icon above and be transported to get started.

I've featured two cards over at TTCRD.

Hoppy Day features Benedict Bullfrog. I've added color to Benedict and his lily pad with Copic markers

Magic Card Features Bartholomew Bat. Bartholomew and his "twin" are flying through a hazy sky at dusk created with the help of my Copics

You're the Best Features Oak Pond Creations Rooster. You can see that "Georgie" (as I affectionately call him) was super excited when I grabbed my Prisma pencils and added color to his gorgeous self.

I've sketched two new images for the studio.

The first is Whimsy Flower.

And next up: Oak Pond Creations Thirty One

These two have been sitting in my sketchbook for a LONG time. I just needed a bit of September weather to get me motivated to finish sketching and get them in the studio for you. I hope they get you motivated to get crafty and create something fabulous!

Don't forget to grab your September freebies over at TTCRD and as always, hugs and happy crafting!

Friday, March 6, 2015

Happy Friday! This month I want to share a couple of cards I made for family and friends.

I was a lucky lady to get invited to the coolest Dr. Seuss birthday party for two special little boys.

This is Thing 1 birthday boy with his Poppy Steve

...and Thing 2 birthday boy with Grandma Jeni

Look at all the yummy Dr. Seuss goodies!

These are just some of the clever creations made by the

Boys' mommy, Savannah and Grandma Jeni!

Delicious!

I had such fun putting these two cards together for the boys!

All paper was from recollections, EK ABC punch and spellbinders. I made the letters with my cuttlebug alphabet die from dinosaur days.

After eating my green eggs and ham and Lorax cookies, I journeyed to the land of Oz and created another card. My awesome, fun loving sister took me to the Durham Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, NC to see the play WICKED.

(L to R) Sister Donna, Me and my beautiful niece Beth

Copyright laws prevented us from taking any photos during the play but WOW was it fantastic.

For a thank you to my sister and niece I made them both cards with an Oz theme:

All Oz stamps are by Clear Art Stamps. I added color with Copics. Gears are from a jewelry collection I found at Michaels and the flowers are also from Michael's.